Malema to be allowed into Luthuli House

290212. In Seshego, Polokwane. ANCYL President Julius Malema before addresses his supporters outside the grandmother's house following his expulsion.
Picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema will still be allowed into the ANC's Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg, even after his expulsion, the party said on Wednesday

“There is nothing to stop him from coming to Luthuli House and collecting his belongings,” African National Congress spokesman Keith Khoza said.

He said he was not sure whether Malema would be treated any differently if he decided to visit the headquarters.

“Whether or not he would have to sign in as a visitor would be a decision taken by security at the entrance.”

On Tuesday, the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeal (NDCA) announced it had expelled Malema from the party.

Malema was originally suspended, in November last year, for five years for sowing division in the party and for bringing it into disrepute. He was found to have done so by unfavourably comparing the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma to that of former president Thabo Mbeki, and for remarks on bringing about regime change in Botswana.

On February 29, the national disciplinary committee announced the sanction against him was being increased to expulsion. He again appealed and it was this appeal that the NDCA dismissed on Tuesday.

University of the Witwatersrand political analyst Professor Susan Booysen said on Tuesday that Malema could find a way back in the party, depending on which ANC faction held power.

“He is 40 years younger than the current ANC leadership. If he doesn't burn himself out, there is a good chance he will have a political future,” she said.

Booysen said she was working in the Eastern Cape at the moment and that it was becoming increasingly clear from her interviews there that there were “many different ANCs”.

What this meant was that there were party members who were disillusioned with its leaders, but who still considered themselves to be ANC.

“Malema may be a non-member, but he will create his own ANC and have supporters around him.”

He was popular and “called a spade a spade” which went against the party's existing culture, which did not publicly question the leadership or its decisions, she said. - Sapa